Cantilever spring



Feb. 9, 1932. R. w. DAVIS 1,844,

CANTILEVER SPRING Filed June 23, 1928 Patented Feb. 9, 1932 UNITED STATES ROBERT W. Davis. on ozonn PARK, nnw yonK cenrrnnvnn srame I Application filed June 23,

This invention relates to springs, and aims to produce an improved spring that is particularly adapted for vehicles.

A principal object is the provision of a new spring of the cantilever type in which-each spring member is subjected to uni-directional stresses that are uniform throughout the length of the spring.

A further feature of the invention resides in the arrangement of a cantilever spring with a resilient cover which assists in carrying the load on the spring and also protects the spring against water, mud, and other injurious substances.

The invention also includes the structures by which the ends of the spring are anchored to the supporting structure.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be made apparent by the following detailed description.

While a preferred form of the invention has been disclosed for purposes of illustration, it should be understood that various alterations-may be made in the structure without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter set forth and claimed.

In the drawings:

7 Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a bodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged plan view ofone of the front springs.

Fig. 3 is a section taken on line 33 of Fi l ig. 4 is a section taken on line H of Fig. 3. I

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail, partly in section, of an end of a rear spring. 9

The general type of spring suspension illustrated in Figure 1 is similar to that disclosed in my co-pending application Serial No. 277,996, filed May15, 1928. V

Referring to the drawings more particularly the reference numeral 10 indicates the frame of the vehicle, while 11 and 12 refer to the front and rear axles respectively. A cross spring 13 is supported on the front axle and is pivoted to the frame at 14, and a rear cross spring 15 has its ends anchored to the brake housings 16 and its middle pivotedto chassis em- 1928. Sam no. 287,870.

the frame at 17. The spring arrangementis I identical on both' sides of the chassis and only one side will therefore be'described in detail.

a Each of the springs comprises a piece of spring stock bent to form an upper member 18 and a lower member 19. These members are arranged with'their ends adjacent the bend in close proximity to each other, the members diverging at a uniform rate and having their opposite ends held a fixed distanceapart. In order to 'maintain these members in their proper, spaced relation, a flexible spacer 20 is'inserted between the spring members. This spacer may be formed of aluminum and may be slotted as at 21, or any other suitable material or construction. r p l r 1 In the cantilever spring arrangement illustrated, the upper member18 is placed in compression and the lower member 19 is placed in tension when a load is carried on the frame 10, and the ends of the members must be suitably anchored to withstand these stresses. 1 The tapered end of the spring. is anchored by placing'it in an integral m'u'fi 22 having an opening of the proper shape to fit'closely about the bent end of the spring. A pair of pins 23 pass through the muff 22 and the upper compression member 18. e V

The spaced-apart ends of members 18'and 19 are held in a one-piece end block 24, which is provided with lateral slots 25 and 26.1 The end of lower member 19 is doubled back upon I itself at 27, and the lower slot26 is formed to receive this enlargement.

A closed cover 28, which closely surrounds the spring, is formed of non-corrosive, elastic material such as phosphor bronze. This cov-.

er assists in binding the spring members into a unit carries part of the load imposed on the spring and protects the spring from dirt and other injurious substances. This cover is placed over the spring before the springis' anchored to the muff 22 and end block 24.

After the ends of the spring members are inserted laterally into the slots 25 and 26, they are secured against lateral displacement by bolts 29 which pass through ears 30 formed on the end block. A pair of pivot ears 31 project upwardly from end block 24, and these ears are drilled as at 32 to permit insertion of pins 33 into agpropriate openings of spring member 18 to old it against dislodgments on the rebound.

Each side member of the frame 10 is pro vided'with a pair of pivot hangers 34, spaced from the ends of the side, and to each-of these hangers one of the springs is pivoted by apin 35 passing through the ears 31 of an end block 24. The lower ends of the end blocks are connected by a tie rod 86 whichis pivoted to cars 37 depending from each end block.

The forward ends of the springs are attached to the axles in any suitable manner. For example, each front muff 22 may be welded or otherwise secured to a bracket 38 carried by the axle 11. The muffs 220i the rear springs may be provided with integral eye members 39 which surround'the rear axle I2.

The spring disclosed herein embodies the principles set forth in my patents No. 1,678,- 034, July 24, 1928 and No. 1,678,035, July 24, 1928, and in the form shown, the upper member is subjected to compression strains and the lower member is subj ected to tension strains.

While I have illustrated one particular arrangement in which the improved cantilever spring is of advantage, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the spring is adapted for many other applications.

7 I claim:

1. A cantilever spring comprising a pair of spring members held in proximity to each other at one end of the spring and held a fixed distance apart at the opposite end of the spring, and a tapered spacer interposed between the spring members.

2. A cantilever spring comprising "a pair of spring membersheld in proximity to each other at one end of the spring and held a fixed distance apart at the opposite end of the spring, a tapered spacer interposed between the spring members, and :a resilient metallic cover member protecting the spring and designed to carry part of the load imposed on the spring.

3. A cantilever spring comprising a tension member and a compression member, these membersbeingheldin proximity to each other at one end of the spring and held a fixed distance apart at the opposite end of the spring, and a tapered spacer interposed between the spring members.

4. A cantilever spring comprising a tension member and a compression member, these members being held in proximity to each other at one end of the spring and held a fixed distance apart at the opposite end of the spring, a tapered spacer interposed between the spring member, and a resilient metallic cover member protecting the spring and designed to carry part of the load imposed on the spring.

5. A cantilever'spring comprising a piece of spring stock bent upon itself to form a member of substantially triangular formation, the separated ends of the piece of stock being rigidly anchored a fixed distance apart.

6. A cantilever spring comprising a piece of spring stock bent upon itself to form a member of substantially triangular formation, and a flexible, tapered spacer interposed between the sides of the triangle.

7 A cantilever spring comprising a compression member and a tension member extending generally divergently from one end where the members are connected, the free end of the tension member being bent to form a tension abutment, an end block to which the free ends of the tension and compression members are anchored in substantially spaced relation, the end block being formed with a shoulder engaging the tension abutment.

8. A cantilever spring comprising a compression member and a tension member extending generally divergently from one end where the members are connected, the free end of the tension member being bent to form a tension abutment, an end block to which the free ends of the tension and compression members are anchored in substantially spaced relation, the end block being formed with a shoulder engaging the tension abutment, and also being formed with a shoulder engaging the end of the compression member.

9. A cantilever spring comprising a compression member and a tension member, the spring members being held in proximity to each other at one end of the spring, and held a fixed distance apart at the other end of the spring, a muff surrounding the narrow end of the spring, and an endblock to which the spaced-apart ends of the spring members are secured.

l0. .A cantilever spring comprising a compression member and a tension member, the spring members being held in proximity to each other at one end of the spring, and held a fixed distance. apart at the other end of the spring, a muff surrounding the narrow end of the spring, and an end block to which the spaced-apart ends of the spring members are secured, the free end of the tension members being bent to form a tension abutment, the end block being formed with a shoulder engaging the tension abutment and being also formed with a shoulder engaging the end of the compression member.

11. A cantilever spring comprising a continuous piece of homogeneous material bent upon itself to form a compression member and a tension member, a mud surrounding the bent end of the spring, and an end block to which the spaced-apart ends of the spring member are secured, the free end of the tension member being bent to form a tension abutment, the end block being formed with a shoulder engaging the tension abutment and being also formed with a shoulder engaging the endof the compression member. 12. A spring consisting of strip tension and compression members connected together at one end, the members extending divergently from said end and a support for the opposite ends of the members in which said ends are fixedly secured and spaced substantially apart from each other.

13. A spring consisting of strip tension and compression members connected together at one end, the members extending divergently and curvedly from said end, and a support for the opposite ends of the members in which said ends are fixedly secured and spaced substantially apart from each other.

14. A spring consisting of strip tension and compression members connected together at one end, the members extending divergently from said end, and a support for the oppo site ends of the members in which said ends are fixedly secured and spaced substantially apart from each other, and a tapered flexible spacer between the member.

15. A spring consisting of strip tension and compression members connected together at one end, the members extending divergently 0 and curvedly from said end, and a support for the opposite ends of the members in which said ends are fixedly secured and spaced substantially apart from each other, and a tapered flexible spacer between the member.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

ROBERT W. DAVIS. 

